Chief Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer

As the Chief BESS Engineer at Fluence, you will:

• Technical Ownership and Direction:
• Lead the overall design and technical strategy for BESS, maintaining full responsibility for system-level architecture and integration.
• Serve as the ultimate technical authority in Design Reviews, making decisions on design direction, performance criteria, and safety standards.
• Works with Fluence’s software team to ensure seamless integration of hardware and software.
• Coordination and alignment across the Enclosure, Systems and Battery engineering teams, overseeing Fluence’s Chief Engineering office.


• System-Level Leadership:
• Direct integration of all BESS subsystems, ensuring that mechanical, electrical, thermal management, power conversion and battery technologies work together to optimize system performance.
• Set and enforce Fluence’s engineering standards across all engineering disciplines, ensuring that system architecture is scalable, efficient, and meets regulatory requirements.
• Define and approve key engineering decisions, ensuring that all design choices support long-term performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.


• Innovation and Long-Term Vision:
• Develop a long-term vision for BESS evolution, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of energy storage technology.
• Engage in strategic planning and product and technology roadmap development, aligning technical objectives with market trends and business goals.


• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:
• Facilitate strong collaboration between mechanical, electrical, power conversion, thermal, and battery engineering teams, ensuring that all subsystems are cohesively integrated.
• Work closely with R&D, manufacturing, and product management to ensure the BESS design is aligned with customer needs, market requirements, and operational capabilities.
• Oversee the resolution of complex engineering challenges, providing guidance and support across technical disciplines.


• Full-System Testing and Validation:
• Ensure that full system testing protocols are in place to validate the performance, safety, and reliability of BESS products under a variety of operational conditions.
• Lead risk assessments, identify critical system-level risks, and establish mitigation strategies for potential technical failures.
• Ensure that the system design complies with all relevant industry standards and regulatory frameworks, including UL, CE, NFPA and grid connection requirements.
• Mentorship and Team Leadership:
• Provide leadership and mentorship to engineers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability within the organization.
• Ensure that technical teams are aligned on system-level goals, technical standards, and project milestones.
• Build and nurture a highly skilled engineering team, encouraging cross-disciplinary learning and innovation.

What will you bring to Fluence?

• Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in battery systems, energy storage, or related fields, with proven expertise in system-level design and integration.
• Strong track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary engineering projects, particularly in BESS or power systems.
• In-depth knowledge of lithium-ion and alternative battery chemistries, thermal management, and mechanical systems for energy storage applications.
• Experience with large-scale, grid-connected energy storage projects and full-system testing protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership and direction across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Strong decision-making abilities with a focus on optimizing performance, reliability, and safety.


• Preferred Skills:
• Experience with Agile methodologies for hardware engineering.
• Knowledge of energy markets, grid operations, and regulatory requirements for energy storage systems.
• Familiarity with advanced simulation tools and digital twin modeling for system optimization.


• Key Skills:
• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to work in diverse cultural environments with global teams and customers.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive quick resolution to issues and to innovate.


• Travel: 25-40% domestic and international travel may be required.